2008-05-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 The public hearing was opened. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said that the School Board members wrestled with the issue and asked if there is a fair exchange for parkland. She said the City should be paid market value for the land. She asked how the conditions will be enforced. Mr. Stratton Salidas, 704 Graves Street, said there is no replacement parkland for the interchange. He said it will increase traffic in the City. He said downtown is doing very well and the additional traffic will undermine the health of downtown. He said the County will not build their section without the City section being built. He said the County did not build the Rt. 29 bypass and there is no eastern connector. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said that the School Board was concerned with safety at the Melbourne intersection, and asked if there are studies of the intersection. He said he does not know of any studies. He said it will be relatively congested. He said it is important to have the operational characteristics of the intersection. Mr. John Thompson, 1504 Grove Road, said Charlottesville High School will need more land in the future, not less. He said replacement land will not replace land for school use. He said students need a safe and peaceful learning environment. He said the School Board’s expectations should be made binding. Mr. Ernest Reed, 610 Farish Street said he has a number of questions about the advisability of building the road, including does this further compromise the gift of McIntire Park, does this further distance us from a positive transportation future, and will this lead to bankruptcy and default in the City. Mr. Reed said denying the request would be in line with Council’s vision statement. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Huja said he thinks the expectations should be included in the ordinance, and Mr. Taliaferro agreed. On motion by Mr. Huja, the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE GRANTING PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS ACROSS CITY-OWNED PROPERTY IN ALBEMARLE COUNTY (MELBOURNE ROAD AREA) TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA (VDOT) FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE MEADOW CREEK PARKWAY,” amended to include the School Board’s expectations, was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. Mr. Norris said he will vote against granting the easement. RESOLUTION : APPROVE MCINTIRE ROAD EXTENDED POND DESIGN Ms. Jeanette Janiczek, VDOT Program Manager in Neighborhood Development Services, asked for Council’s approval of the Committee’s recommendation of the pond design. She said the original idea was to create a recreational pond, but VDOT would not approve it. She said staff assembled a Committee to review alternatives, and the project recommended includes several stormwater amenities. Mr. Norris asked about Mr. Kleeman’s concerns about conflicts between the pond and the interchange, and Ms. Janiczek said the coordination has occurred with the interchange project and there is no conflict. She said Council is only being asked to approve the concept. Mr. Huja asked if the middle pond will be wet or dry, and Ms. Janiczek said it depends on the amount of rain. She said it could be marshy or wet.